Our regular round-up of industry news, for July 10 to 14, 2014
Hawksmoor to expand into Manchester
Restaurant and bar group Hawksmoor is to expand outside of London for the first time with a site in Manchester. It has announced it has signed a lease for the Courthouse building in Deansgate near Spinningfields to open Hawksmoor British Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar next year. Founded in 2003, Hawksmoor has grown to five steakhouses in London plus a cocktail bar (pictured) in Spitalfields.
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Premium spirits continue to grow
Malt whisky, spiced rum and gin are in growth in the UK alongside consumers’ continuing desire for good value, according to the Market Report from William Grant & Sons UK. While consumers go out less, they still seek premium spirits which are increasing value sales ahead of mainstream products, even in mainstream bars and pubs. William Grant & Sons UK, previously First Drinks Brands, highlights how 79% of drinkers now consider spirits when they are out.
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More towns join Purple Flag scheme
Two new locations in the UK have been awarded Purple Flags which recognise efforts to raise standards and broaden the appeal of town and city centres in the evenings and at night. Solihull in the West Midlands and Newbury in Berkshire have become part of the scheme, bringing the total number of towns and cities across the UK and Ireland to 50.
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New London site planned for Meatliquor
The team behind Meatliquor restaurants have announced plans to open what will be their eighth site next summer. Yianni Papoutsis and Scott Collins hope to open the new business in what is currently an abandoned Citroen garage in Upper Street, Islington. It will be spread across the old garage as well as workshops, offices, store rooms and a newly unearthed cellar and basement plus outdoor seating for 40 people.
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Schloer revamp supports on-trade growth
SHS Drinks has invested in a stylish new look for 275ml bottles of Shloer Red Grape and Shloer White Grape on the back of growth in bars and pubs. The new pack design, which is being rolled out this summer, features a curvier new design and a screw-top closure replacing the crown cap to make it more practical for bar staff and consumers to open the bottles.
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Best Bar None names best Ipswich venues
The Luminar Group’s Liquid & Envy nightspot and Bowman’s Bar and Lounge led the list of winners at this year’s Best Bar None Awards for Ipswich. Bowman’s won the overall award for best venue as well as the award for best bar, the People’s Choice Award voted on by the public, and best door staff. Liquid & Envy was voted best club, best town centre venue and, jointly with Bowman’s, best door staff.
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Deadline looms for Late Night Awards
Nominations for this year’s Late Night Awards, run by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, close on Wednesday (July 16). Over 60 nominations across six categories have already been made. The winners of this year’s Late Night Awards will be announced at the second annual Dusk ‘til Dawn event on September 14 at the Birmingham Metropole.
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Tullamore Dew seeks best toasts
A new campaign has been launched for Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey in preparation for the opening of its new distillery this September. “Parting Glass” is a global online search for the best toasts to mark the beginning of life’s new chapters, with the prize of a trip to Ireland to attend the opening. Entry is via the Tullamore Dew page on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, adding #PartingGlassUK to the entry.
Airport security prompts new service
Geronimo Inns has responded to new security measures at airports, requiring electronic devices to be charged up, by offering free use of chargers for smartphones and tablets at its pubs at Heathrow Airport. It is available at The Five Tuns, landside at Terminal 5, and The Three Bells, landside at Terminal 3.
Heineken campaign unlocks London
Heineken is encouraging people to explore London with the first stage of its “Open Your City” campaign which launches on Tuesday (July 15). It features a six-month partnership with Metro newspaper and website, called “London Unlocked”, with a guide to upcoming events and experiences in the capital.
CAMRA names Scottish champion beer
Dark Moor from Kelburn Brewing Company of Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, has been awarded the title of Champion Beer of Scotland for 2014 by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) at the Scottish Real Ale Festival in Edinburgh. It is a 4.5% ABV Old Ale, described in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide as “a dark, fruity ale with undertones of liquorice and blackcurrant”. Runner-up was Ayr Brewing Company’s Rabbie’s Porter and third place went to the Fyne Ales’ Jarl.
Rare new whisky from Glenmorangie
Glenmorangie has launched Pride 1978, a 34-year-old whisky that builds on 2011’s release of the exclusive Pride 1981. The new release started as a 19-year-old whisky before being extra-matured in casks which had once contained an exquisite French Premier Grand Cru claret for 15 years. Only five casks of the new whisky were laid down, meaning only 700 bottles are available worldwide. Its ABV is 47.4%.
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